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PVR PLUS User Manual

Contents

V2.0

Chapter 1 : PVR-PLUS Software Functions......................................................................................................3 Chapter 2 : TVR Functions Guide .....................................................................................................................4

2.1 System Setting and Channel Scan........................................................................................................4 2.2 Main Panel ...........................................................................................................................................5

2.2.1 Information Window .................................................................................................................5 2.2.2 Basic Tools ................................................................................................................................5 2.2.3 Channel Tuning .........................................................................................................................6 2.2.4 Input Source ..............................................................................................................................6 2.2.5 Volume Adjust ...........................................................................................................................6 2.2.6 Record, Playback and TimeShifting..........................................................................................6

2.3 Schedule Recording .............................................................................................................................8 2.3.1Capture .......................................................................................................................................8 2.3.2Time option ................................................................................................................................8

2.4 Setup Utility .......................................................................................................................................10 2.4.1 TV Tuner Setup Properties......................................................................................................10 2.4.2 Preview Setup propertyies ......................................................................................................10 2.4.3 Capture Setup properties ......................................................................................................... 11 2.4.4 Video Setup properties ............................................................................................................ 11 2.4.5 Other Setup properties.............................................................................................................12

2.5 Channel Preview ................................................................................................................................12 2.6 Snapshot .............................................................................................................................................12 2.7 Sleeping Timer ...................................................................................................................................13 2.8 FM Function (Optional) .....................................................................................................................13

Chapter 3 : MPEG Encoder .............................................................................................................................16 3.1 User Interface .....................................................................................................................................16 3.2 Practice Streaming Video File Format Conversion............................................................................16

Chapter 4 : MPEG Editor.................................................................................................................................19 4.1 Play List Editor ..................................................................................................................................19

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4.2 Display Panel .....................................................................................................................................20 4.2.1 Original Clips Display Window..............................................................................................21 4.2.2 Edited Clips Display Window.................................................................................................21

4.3 Original and Staging Clips .................................................................................................................21 4.3.1 Original Clips ..........................................................................................................................21 4.3.2 Staging Clips ...........................................................................................................................22

4.4 Frame Edit Mode................................................................................................................................22 4.4.1.Frame Range Selection for Editing.........................................................................................22 4.4.2. Video Frames Editing and Saving..........................................................................................23

Chapter 5 : Burn DVD .....................................................................................................................................24 5.1 Adding Files .......................................................................................................................................24 5.2 Burning...............................................................................................................................................25

Chapter 6 : FAQ ...............................................................................................................................................26 FAQ 1 : How do I use the “Schedule Recording in Power-Off (SRPO)” function?................................26

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Chapter 1 : PVR PLUS Software Functions When using PVR PLUS, There are four different functions to choose from. Picture below is an example of how the interface looks like and a short description of each function.

• TVR : TVR turns your PC into a full-featured video recorder.

• MPEG Encoder : MPEG Encoder

converts AVI files into MPEG format.

• Video Editor : Video Editor makes editing MPEG video files easy.

• Burn DVD : Burn DVD creates VCD, SVCD and DVD that can be played on a PC or DVD player.

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Chapter 2 : TVR Functions Guide TVR is a powerful and easy-to-use TV application which includes feature-rich video/audio entertainment functions. TVR provides a convenient way to watch and record TV or video on your PC and also allows you to playback recorded TV or video files. You could also listen to FM radio broadcasts under the FM mode if it is included in your model. 2.1 System Setting and Channel Scan

When executing TVR at first time, TV Setup Wizard will help you to set your TV configurations step-by- step. 1. Select “Frequency Table” and “Video Standard” (NTSC, PAL or

SECAM) either by “Country” or “TV System”. 2. Set frequency input source from “Cable type” and sound source

from “TV live sound”, TV live sound is the audio device channel that connects to your audio-out of TV tuner card.

Note: If you connect “Line-out” from TV card to “Line-in” of sound card, you should select “Line-in” under “TV live sound’ and “Recording Sound”. 3. Click “Start” to start channel scanning. 4. After scanning the set frequency range, click “Finish” to activate

TVR to follow the frequency table set from channel scanning to do channel mapping.

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Note: 1. TVR’s default frequency scanning range is dependent on country code set by Windows OS, but

scanning range might not be entirely correct. You should check and select a valid option for your origin if necessary.

2. When re-configuring current TV frequency table at anytime, choose "Reset TV Option" from the option menu by Right-Clicking on the display panel.

2.2 Main Panel Preview window size can be adjusted by mouse or double click to switch to full-screen. There are six major functions of TVR.

2.2.1 Information Window Displays current state (Live, REC, Playback, Time-Shifting), TV sound state (Mono, Stereo or SAP), audio volume, speaker state, recording time, recording file size and current time.

2.2.2 Basic Tools

There are 8 sub functions, see following for icon definition. Antenna: Video source switch (the horizontal white button on the top) : Schedule Recording Agent

: Setup : Channel preview : Snapshot : Sleeping timer setup : TV sound switching

Switches to FM mode, if product you purchase supports this function.

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2.2.3 Channel Tuning

Selecting channel can be done by entering the channel through numeric keys from the application’s control panel or keyboard.

: Previous channel. : Next channel. : Back to previous channel.

Note: Frequency table must be enabled in order for and buttons to be functional. 2.2.4 Input Source There are five video input sources for users to select from (Antenna, Cable, Memory, Composite and S-Video). Input source can be changed by clicking “ ” or “ ” button on control panel or choose "Switch Video Source" in popup menu. 2.2.5 Volume Adjust

: Volume increase

: Volume decrease

: Mute or restore sound 2.2.6 Record, Playback and TimeShifting 1. Record Function

Any current live video can be recorded by clicking the capture button, on control panel or choose

"Capture" in popup menu. To stop recording, simply click the “Stop” button on control panel or

choose "Stop" in popup menu to stop current recording. Recorded files can be reviewed in the playback list after recording.

2. Playback Function

By clicking the “Play” button, on control panel or choose "Play" in popup menu to playback

any recorded files. A playback dialog which shows all recorded video files and all recently played files will pop up. More than one video/Audio files from either recorded file or files of your own collections can be entered into a play list. Button Definition:

• : Play

• : Pause

• : Stop

• : Rewind

• : Fast Forward

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Note: The window above is an example of adding or deleting files to and from the Play list.

3. Time-Shifting Function

Time-Shifting can be done during live mode by clicking on control panel or choose "Time-Shifting"

in popup menu. In Time-Shifting mode, simply click on control panel or choose "Play" in popup

menu to get back and watch the channel from where you left. Click on control panel or choose

"Stop" in popup menu to stop Time-Shifting. During Time-Shifting mode, you can switch from current video to Time-Shifting video window and vice versa by choosing "Real Screen" in popup menu.

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2.3 Schedule Recording To setup a schedule recording, click from the control panel to enter the “Schedule Recording Agent” properties window.

2.3.1Capture Capture Source: Choose the input source where you want to capture from. Channel: Select the channel to record from. Capture format (profile): Choose the desired file format for saving the recorded file. Capture size: Choose the frame size of the recording file. Bit rate (Kbps): Choose the recording bit rate. Capture quality: Choose the capture quality. Frame rate: Choose the number of frames per second for the recording schedule. Capture audio option: Four options to choose from, "Capture audio", "Capture audio only, No video" or "No audio". File name option: Use the “date/time” as the default file name for recorded video files or define a different name.

2.3.2Time option Current time: Shows the current time. Starting time: Date and time of the set schedule recording event. Duration: Time length of the set schedule recording event. Recording rule: Enter the recording rule for the schedule recording. The default value is "Once only"

When a recording schedule is entered, the entered recording schedule will be shown in the table like the one on the left.

Insert: Inserts a new recording schedule record. Edit: Edit a recording schedule record. Delete: Delete a recording schedule records. Delete All: Delete all the recording schedule from the list. Start Power-off Schedule : This function allows users to turn off the system immediately and it will turn your PC back on automatically few minutes prior to the schedule recording.

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Note: To enable this function, please first enable “Hibernate” function in the windows power management configuration.

The “Today To-do List” frame shows all of the recording schedules set for today.

If any recording schedule had failed, an error message will be created automatically into the “Log” frame.

Output folder: A different directory can be chosen to save the recorded files.

Auto-execute at start up: Enable this option in order to execute Schedule Agent automatically at start up.

Enable Power-off schedule recording mode: Enabling this option allows system to shutdown automatically when a schedule recording is finished.

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2.4 Setup Utility 2.4.1 TV Tuner Setup Properties The TV Tuner Setup property page allows users to customize and configure TV channels and edit users’ favorite channels by grouping them. Signals from the cable or antenna can be scanned for channels automatically and users can label and identify their favorite channels, as well as include or exclude channels from the scanned channels list. Channel settings such as video standard, MTS option, channel name and frequency fine tune can be changed by double clicking on the selected channel.

Normal Group: Switch TV source from Antenna to Cable or vice versa. Memory Group: Users can assign channel number or video source in their desired order. Auto Scan: Auto Scans the frequency range for TV channels.

2.4.2 Preview Setup propertyies

The preview setup property page, allows users to customize and configure TV channels for channel previewing. There two preview options to choose from, “Standard” and “Customize”.

Standard Preview dimension: number of frames to be displayed on the preview window. Preview time interval: The preview time for each channel to be displayed.

Customize This options allows users to set the video source of each previewing channel. Enter the desired previewing channels through the numeric keys in the control panel.

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2.4.3 Capture Setup properties Video capture device: Choose the device to capture from. Video input format: Select the video input format as YUY2, UYVY or RGB24. Capture format (profile): Sets the video format to record in. Capture Size: Sets the video capture frame size. Bite Rate (Kbps): Choose the recording bite rate. Capture quality: Choose the recording quality. Frame Rate: Choose the frame rate for recording. Capture location: Choose the directory to save the recorded files. Capture filename: Use the “date/time” as the default file name for recorded video files or define a different name. Enable time limit: Sets a time limit for recording. Capture audio device: You can select "Capture audio", "Capture audio only, No Video" or no audio. When you select

"Capture audio only, No Video", you can capture the file in WAV or MP3 format. Audio capture device: Select which audio device to user to capture. Audio Source: Select which audio device to capture from. (Recommend using Line in.) Audio format: Sets the audio format to record the file in.

2.4.4 Video Setup properties Color: Brightness, contrast, hue and saturation adjustment.

Video System: Sets the system format for the input sources from composite video and S-Video

Always on Top: The preview window will always be on top.

Enable high quality preview: Enables high quality preview mode

Don't use overlay as display surface: If your graphic card doesn't supports Overlay mode, check this option box.

Display Aspect Ration: You can change the display aspect ratio to 4 : 3 , 16 : 9 or free mode.

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2.4.5 Other Setup properties

Multi language option: To select the different language interface.

Enable PIP playback: Enable the Picture-In-Picture function while playing back files.

Save file on time shifting: Save the video file while using Time-Shifting function.

2.5 Channel Preview Click from the control panel or choose "Channel Preview" on popup menu.

While in channel preview mode, use the arrow keys on the keyboard and press “Enter” or double click the left button on the mouse to exit the preview mode and watch the selected channel.

2.6 Snapshot Snapshots (still image capture) can be taken from current viewing window by clicking from the control panel or choose "Snapshot" in popup menu. The Snapshot window will pop up when a snapshot is taken. Here, users can view, save or delete images taken.

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Note: The captured images can be saved in either bitmap or JPEG file format when saving the file. 2.7 Sleeping Timer If is selected, you can use “Sleeping Timer” function. After you select the button, you would see the dialog box as below:

You can use slide bar or left and right key to adjust the timer value, click “OK” to start or “Cancel” to exit.

2.8 FM Function (Optional) FM function allows users to listen and record FM radio shows. There are 50 memory channels that can be assigned to and Schedule Recording Agent can be used here as well.

The FM control panel is designed to look like controls on a electric appliance, you can click button on control panel to do the function you want. The following page shows descriptions for the FM control panel functions, and tips for operating FM features.

Information Window: Displays current state (FM, REC, Playback), audio volume, speaker state, recording time, recording file size and current time.

Frequency Tuning: Different channel can be selected by using the slide bar to tune in different frequencies

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Basic tool: : Switch to TV mode : Schedule recording

: Setup property : Add current frequency to memory channel

list

: Increases by 0.05MHz to current frequency : Decreases by 0.05MHz to current frequency : Next channel : Previous channel

Channel Selection :

: Click the button aftern entering the channel through numeric keys. : Switch back to previously selected channel.

Volume tuning:

: Volume increase

: Volume decrease

: Mute or restore sound

Record / Playback :

: Recording

: Playback

: Pause current playback

: Stop playback and back to Live mode

: Rewind

: Fast Forward

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Recording

To record current audio channel, simply click on control panel or choose "Capture" in popup menu.

Click to stop recording or choose "Stop" in popup menu. To playback the recorded file, use the

playback list window to playback. Playback Please refer to chapter 2.2.6 on page 6 for playback instructions.

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Chapter 3 : MPEG Encoder 3.1 User Interface

Fig. 3.1 is an example of how the main panel looks like when executing MPEG Encoder:

Fig. 3.1 The main panel is composed of four segments. Refer to Fig. 3.1

Header Buttons Add input files; Delete files; Edit options; Start and Stop transcoding.

Batch Process Display Window

Displays file name, encoding status, screen size and play time of files to be transcoded.

Progress Display Window Displays formatting information about the file being transcoded.

Preview Display Window Displays the video of the file being transcoded. 3.2 Practice Streaming Video File Format Conversion

MPEG Encoder 5.0 transcodes multimedia files between video formats. For multimedia files to be transcoded using Encoder 5.0, they must be playable under Windows Media Player. File formats that can be transcoded are: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG 1, MPEG 2, ASF, WMV, DivX, and DAT. Fig. 3.2

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Fig. 3.3 To add a multimedia file to be transcoded, click the "+" or "Add" button. This will open the "Browse" dialog box. Browse to the directory/file wanted and click on "Open". (Another method of adding files to the “Batch Process Display Window” is to simply highlight a file, then drag and drop it into the Batch Process Display Window.) Refer to Fig. 3.3

Once the multimedia file is added to the “Batch Process Display Window,” the Option Selection Dialog Box appears. This begins the process of selecting the output format for the transcoder to create. Choose among four categories of formats: MPEG 1, MPEG 2; Category tabs appear at the top of the window. After selecting a format category, choose a specific video format (and detailed options if necessary). Please refer to Fig. 3.2

The output file will be created in the same directory as the original file unless a different path is manually chosen. It will also maintain the original video file name and add a file extension matching the video format of the output type selected. The file name can also be manually changed. Refer to Fig. 3.4

Fig. 3.4

Once the output video format and options are selected, click "OK", then the file will appear in the Batch Process Display Window. Refer to Fig. 3.5

Fig. 3.5

The Batch Process Display Window shows three states of process in the Status column.

1. “Waiting” means that the media file displayed is queued for transcoding (compression and/or translation). The transcoding of video files in the "Waiting" state begins when the Encoding button is clicked.

2. “Exclusion” means that transcoding of that file will not occur.

3. “Done” means that the transcoding (compression and/or translation) is successfully completed.

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To change a file's status between Waiting and Exclusion (and vice versa), double click on the file line. The Waiting state will change to an Exclusion state and be reported as "Skip". Similarly, a file with a "Skip" status when double-clicked, will change to "Waiting." Fig. 3.5 shows the status Exclusion that changed status of previously added at above by double clicking with mouse.

Although you push Encoding button in this status, it will not execute compression and translation process. Change the status to “Waiting” by double clicking the mouse and click the “Encoding” button to execute the conversion process.

Fig. 3.6 During transcoding, the Status column changes to display the percentage of progress accomplished. Also, once the transcoding process has begun the (right arrow) Encoding button changes to a Stop button. If the Stop button is clicked-on during transcoding, the process will stop.

Once the transcoding process completes successfully, the status will change to “Done”. To transcode the same file again. For example, double-click on the file in the Batch Process Display Window and the Status will change to Waiting. To change the option again, highlight the file with a single mouse click and then click on the Option or Edit button to execute the “Option Selection” dialog box.

To view the input video file, click on the “Input” play button. To view the transcoded output video file, highlight the video file and click on the “Output” play button.

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Chapter 4 : MPEG Editor

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.1 Shows how the “MPEG Editor” user interface looks like.

• Menu Section : file open, file/video clip delete, video property, change skin color, minimize, maximize, close and help.

• Display panel : play original video clips, play edited video clips (preview), display saving progress information.

• Video Clip Staging Section : Original Clips, Staging Clips. • Frame Edit Section : mark frame range, sequence arrangement, merge multiple frames into one video. • Title Edit Section : add title, font style, size, color, movement (straight line, curve line) • Audio Edit Section : add audio and create sound effect • Special Effect Section : use Color Effect, Filter Effect, Transition Effect, Transition In Effect, Transition

Out Effect, Noise Reduction Filter 4.1 Play List Editor

: Add files to play list • Support MPEG-1, 2 system file(Video and Audio),

AVI(DV-AVI). • Select a file and click Ok button.

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: Clip/File delete Delete clips registered in Original/Staging Clips. Actual file on a hard disk is deleted when "Delete File" is checked.

: Mpeg Properties Dialog

Displays your input mpeg file properties

4.2 Display Panel

Fig. 4.2 The very top of Fig. 4.2 displays the video files added to the play list. The four editing mode when the “Effect” is selected in Fig. 4.2 is the mode to choose when adding special effects to the editing clips.

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4.2.1 Original Clips Display Window • Displays videos of Original Clips. (Double Click or Drag and Drop) • Videos in Staging Clips cannot be displayed in this window. • In Title editing mode, Title can be edited in this window. • In Audio editing mode, it displays registered audio files. • In Special Effect mode, it displays all available filters. • Displays the progress information when final video is created.

4.2.2 Edited Clips Display Window • Displays videos in Staging Clips. (Double Click or Drag and Drop) • Videos in Original Clips can be displayed in this window. • Preview function displays edited video in this window.

4.3 Original and Staging Clips

Fig. 4.3

The 4 editting mode where the “Audio” is selected in Fig. 4.3 is the mode to choose when editing the audio of the editing clips. 4.3.1 Original Clips

This is the area where video clips that need to be edited are added and managed. Video clips can be dragged and dropped into the Original Clips area. The sequence of video clips added can also be rearranged easily by drag and drop.

i) How to add video clips

Use the button in the “Menu” to browse and select video clips to add to the Original Clips

area. Drag and Drop video files to the Original Clips area.

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ii) How to view and manage video clips in the Original Clips area: To view a video clip in the Original Clips are, either double click on the video clip or drag and drop

the video clip from the Original Clips area on to the Original Video Display window. Clicking on the right mouse button will bring up a Popup Menu. This menu performs the following

functions: copy, delete and show property information.

4.3.2 Staging Clips • This is the area where video clips are added after frame ranges are specified. • Video clips can be managed for further editing in this area. • Editing, deletion and sequence arranging are done here. • File properties for each video clip can be obtained by right mouse clicking on the clip. • Video clips are acted upon and added to the Staging area using the four application buttons on the

left side of Video Editor. Those four buttons are "Cut", "Title", "Audio" and "Effect". 4.4 Frame Edit Mode 4.4.1.Frame Range Selection for Editing

Fig. 4.4

The 4 editting mode where the “Title” is selected in Fig. 4.4 is the mode to choose when adding titles to the editing clips.

• Specify frame range • To add an entire video clip, drag the clip from the Original Clips area and drop it in the Staging Clips

area. • To add portions of a video clip, drag the clip from the Original Clips area and drop it in the left

preview window. Then using the Mark-in/Mark-out button, cut the portion of the video clip to be

edited and then click the button to transfer the clip to the Staging Clips area.

• Users can repeat the above steps to add multiple video frames.

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Fig. 4.5

Fig. 4.5 displays the list of the files chosen to be used for editing.

4.4.2. Video Frames Editing and Saving 2.1 Adding Video Clip

• Click to browse and select video clips to add to the original clips area.

• Drag and drop video files to the original clips area. • Double click on added video clips in original clips area or drag and drop them to original video • Display Window to view and select frames for further editing.

2.2 Selecting frame ranges for video editing click “Mark-in” to specify the beginning of a clip and

mark-out to set the end of the clip. Next, click on the button to move the clips from the auto edit

window to the Staging Clips area. 2.3 Editing video frames • Select video frames in “Staging Clips” List. • Rearrange the sequence of videos. • Repeat the same scene by putting the same video frames multiple times. • Delete sections of video they do not want. • Confirm the video before final saving using preview function. • Save the final video when editing is completed.

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Chapter 5 : Burn DVD 5.1 Adding Files

Select Format : DVD: For DVD. VCD: For Video CD. SVCD: For Super VCD. DATA: For multi-media data CD.

1 This dialog box shows up when the

is clicked. Video or photo files are displayed as thumb nails on the screen (As shown below) after being added.

2 Added files can be deleted. Click on the file to be deleted and then click on the button.

3 When all necessary files are added, click on

to move to next step.

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5.2 Burning

: This button allows users to go back to the previous step and change selected files or selected

format. 1. Select DVD/CD burner to use.

2. : Eject DVD/CD drive.

3. : Erase all content on DVD/CD media.

4. : Open option dialog box.

NTSC, PAL, Both: Select video type.

Support XVCD and XSVCD: Data rate is not checked in order to support XVCD and XSVCD.

Perform Writing Test before recording: Checks to insure that the DVD/CD writer is functioning correctly before actual burning.

Use Windows temporary directory: [Default] Uses Windows temporary directory as DVD Maker's temporary directory.

Path: Allows DVD Maker to specify the temporary directory.

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Chapter 6 : FAQ FAQ 1 : How do I use the “Schedule Recording in Power-Off (SRPO)” function? ANS: Before you use the power-off schedule recording function, please make sure your system can support

hibernate function. Enter to the “Display Properties” and choose “Screen Saver”. Click the “Power” button to and enter to the Hibernate” function. You would see the option “Enable hibernate support”. Check the box to activate the settings of “Schedule Recording in Power-Off” function. Click on to start setting the Schedule Recording Properties. After you finish the setting, please click the “OK” to the next step. Then you would see your setting in the schedule. If you want to use power-off schedule recording now, click on the “Start Power-off Schedule ” button. A confirmation message will pop up to confirm if you want to shutdown system. If you click “YES”, the system will shutdown immediately. PC will be turned back on automatically few minutes prior to the recording schedule. .